POSITIVE ACTIONS UPDATE IN OUR PROVINCE

UNANIMA International as a coalition of 17 orders of women religious marked the one year anniversary of launching our STOP THE DEMAND campaign: Trafficking of women and children for the sex trade and forced labor. We are trying to change the world by focusing on the consumer (men), and by educating people about the basic human rights of women.

UNANIMA in Saskatoon with Virginia Scissons at the Diocesan Social Justice Office is joining forces with numerous coalitions to Stop the Demand. CWL Sask, Nashi and police departments are giving workshops, launching letter writing campaigns, and asking governments to enforce legislation by hiring personal to stop trafficking. The challenge is to identify the victims who are mainly foreigners and reluctant to trust police due to corrupt police in their countries of origin. In light of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. the time is ripe for collaboration. Representatives from the parishes and ecumenical churches were present in mid February for a workshop. It consisted of a power point presentation, a post card campaign, a CWL and Nashi updates. [ NASHI is a local Ukrainian group who has been building safe houses and trade schools in the Ukraine.] www.nashi.ca Victor Malarek from the Ukraine is returning to Saskatoon. Read his latest book The Johns. Check out the Assembly of Western Canadian Bishops www.wcr.ab.ca (03/02/09) and www.thefuturegroup.org for more positive action stories.

Toronto
The National CWL conference identified trafficking as one of the focus points for the year. St. Joan of Arc Parish with Elizabeth Losinski is working to ensure that CRC kits are being distributed and used in the schools. A training session was held and fund raising is being done to support UNANIMA's work.

Winnipeg
In November 2008 and January 2009 workshops were held for a group of women associated with Sion to begin to explore the topic of trafficking. There was a strong desire to learn more about our local reality.

In January we invited the Director of “Honouring our Little Sisters” program. It helps young aboriginal women who are being exploited. We also heard from two young experiential women who spoke of the impact of trafficking on their lives.
We are represented on the SEY (Sexually Exploited Youth) Coalition. This coalition has worked together for two years and recently received some good news.

In December 2008 the Minister of Family Services and Housing held a media event at Rossbrook House and announced the following initiatives:

• the establishment of a healing lodge in rural Manitoba
  
• Street Reach: a coordinated and integrated outreach effort to help children and youth escape sexual exploitation. It will coordinate efforts of more than a dozen agencies.
• Establishment of a Routes Out Program including a trafficked persons response team with police, border services, labour and immigration.
• Training of police and city hall employees

Would you like to use a Materials Packet (on STOP THE DEMAND) for your parish or civic community? OR if you did use it, Was it helpful ? Sylvia is the temporary Sion rep inviting your feedback obrigsyl@yahoo.ca

To order materials check UNANIMA website below.

We are always reflecting/pondering on how we uniquely respond to these issues. In what way does Sion's charism call us to contribute to these actions for justice by being members of the UNANIMA coalition? Please share your insights with us. obrigsyl@yahoo.ca

Links: www.unanima-international.org , www.earthcharterinaction.org , www.snjm.qc.ca

Ana Margarita Murillo: New International Coordinator

Read about the Counter-Trafficking Project at the National (USA) Immigrant Justice Center website: www.immigrantjustice.org.